Patricia Elizabeth Spears

Patricia "Pat" Elizabeth Spears, 82, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St. Paul, Minnesota after her battle with cancer. Born June 20, 1941, to Bernice & Alphonse Nistler, Pat grew up in Richfield, MN with her 4 siblings, Steve, Claudia, Mary Ann, and Mike. She attended the Academy of Holy Angels and graduated in 1959. Immediately following graduation, she attended Rice Country District One Hospital in Faribault where she obtained her first nursing degree (LPN) in April 1963. She later attended Anoka Ramsey Community College to earn her second nursing degree (RN) in June 1994. Pat's children from her marriage, Rick, Paul, and Jeff, brought her much joy. She raised them in Coon Rapids, MN and they enjoyed going to the beach at Turtle Lake often. She also introduced her boys to the Renaissance Festival - they attended the very first one and attended every year after. After the boys were grown, she continued to live in Coon Rapids in the townhome she built for 37 years. Her entire career was spent serving and caring for others. She began her nursing career at Coon Raids Clinic and then moved to the Chemical Dependency unit at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. She later transferred to the Psych unit at both Mercy and Unity Hospital in Fridley. Pat's true passion was using her God-given gift of singing for the Lake Country Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International - a worldwide organization dedicated to performance and education. She enjoyed being part of the chorus that entertained the community and sang for senior residences, church services, park performances, and other local events. On occasion, she was able to travel with the group and attend Sweet Adelines International Contests around the country. In 2020, Pat received the Member Longevity Award for 25 years as a member of the Lake Country Chorus. In addition, she also received the "Woman of Note" Award in 2019 which recognized her faithful involvement in the chorus as the Choreographer, Treasurer, Board of Directors Member, Christmas Committee Member, and more. Her face lit up the room as she sang bass among her beloved chorus members and friends. She was far from shy while on stage and that made for an unforgettable experience for all in attendance. Her family enjoyed partnering with her and the chorus for various fundraisers throughout the years including serving milk at the Minnesota State Fair and modeling for fashion shows. Pat's other pastimes included a round of golf with friends or a marathon of estate sales with her daughter-in-law, Linda. Pat was a woman who always knew what she wanted and that held true as she hunted through estate sales for just the right item. She was rewarded for her efforts many times but one of the most satisfying finds was a Fenton Blue Satin Poppy Lamp after she had seen multiple other colors available at previous sales. Pat was persistent in her search and intentional in her purchases - both broader characteristics admired by those who loved her. When asked how they would describe Pat, her family shared a multitude of admirable traits - generous, compassionate, strong, firm, loving, and kind to name a few. Pat was raised in the Catholic faith and attended The Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids throughout her life. Her strong faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior guided her from a very young age and gave her peace that surpassed all understanding as she navigated the cancer diagnosis in the last years of her life. Pat is preceded in death by her parents Bernice & Alphonse Nistler, her son, Paul, and her sister, Claudia. She is survived by her siblings, Steve Nistler of Eureka Springs, AK, Mary Ann McMahon (Larry) of Chaska, MN, and Mike Nistler of Eureka Springs, AK; Children Rick Spears (Linda) of Anoka, MN and Jeff Spears of St. Bonifacius, MN; Grandchildren Tanja Hansen (Zach) of Anoka, MN and Samantha Spears (Kenny) of Maple Plain, MN, and Great-Grandchildren Kylie (12), Jayda (10), Claire (6), Marquise (5), Connor (4), Sienna (3), and Tallula (1). Please join us to remember and celebrate Pat's life at The Church of the Epiphany - 1900 111th Ave NW Coon Rapids, MN 55433 on Friday, August 11, 2023 at 10:30am. Visitation is at the church one hour prior to the service. Cremation burial following the funeral at the Epiphany Catholic Cementary. Luncheon following burial at Epiphany.

Tributes

Patricia Elizabeth Spears

June 20, 1941 - August 1, 2023

Tributes

Patricia Elizabeth Spears

June 20, 1941 - August 1, 2023

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